Sunday 15 March 2015

UK: Punching Above Our Weight?





Washington Post article - U.K.’s shrinking military clout worries U.S.

"Behind the flinty facade lies an unmistakable erosion in British power, one that has reduced Washington’s indispensable ally to a position that U.K. officials, military leaders and analysts acknowledge could leave the United States without a credible partner in taking on the greatest threats to global ­security".

Trident lets UK punch above weight - US defence secretary  BBC News

Chuku Umunna - THE CASE FOR BRITAIN IN A REFORMED EUROPE

"For me the choice we are being asked to make at this referendum is whether we acknowledge the “Great” in Great Britain, our ability to punch above our weight abroad, and adopt a big view of who we are and what we can be, delivering better outcomes for our people.  Or we can talk down our country and adopt a minimalist view of Britain’s history and what we can be going forward".

See this posting too

Update:

Britain’s global place is at stake – are we going to speak up? The Guardian - 'Our fondness for the image of “punching above our weight” in international affairs disguises our potential to be an important global player'.

Update:

Sunday Times, October 27, 2019, William Waldegrave:

"Telling a new national story could be a wonderfully liberating thing to do. No more punching above our weight. That way ends in a knockout eventually...Why not try punching at our weight as an independent, well-run, middle-sized nation, along the lines of Canada?"











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